Pune: PMC Takes Proactive Steps to Prevent Flooding, Prepares Year-Long Action Plan

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to take proactive steps to address the flooding issues in the city. Municipal Commissioner Dr Rajendra Bhosale has directed the administration to prepare a year-long action plan to prevent flooding.

Following the severe flooding caused by water released from the Khadakwasla Dam earlier this year, particularly affecting areas like Sinhagad Road, the PMC formed a three-member committee in July to investigate the root causes and suggest permanent solutions. The committee's report, initially criticized for being inaccessible to the public, has now been made available, prompting the administration to expedite its preventive measures.

Dr. Bhosale has emphasized the importance of planning in advance and has instructed the administration to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for effective flood prevention and mitigation. He also directed the disaster management department to identify and finalize temporary relocation sites for residents of 29 flood-prone areas in the city.

Frequent flooding in hilly areas

In recent years, heavy monsoon rains have caused frequent flooding, particularly in hilly areas, while the reduced carrying capacity of the Mutha River has worsened the situation. Water releases from the Khadakwasla Dam often lead to flooding along riverbanks. Recognizing the urgency, the PMC has begun implementing measures to safeguard vulnerable areas.

The meeting was attended by Additional Commissioner Prithviraj BP, City Engineer Prashant Waghmare, committee members, and officials from the Water Resources Department.

The flood disrupted the lives of around 450 families and sparked a blame game between the PMC and the Water Resources Department. Factors such as debris dumped into the riverbed, ongoing river improvement projects, and mismanagement were highlighted as potential contributors to the crisis.

Recently, Municipal Commissioner Dr Rajendra Bhosale instructed officials in a meeting, "To install rain gauges in various parts of the city and ensure that rainfall data is monitored by the Emergency Disaster Management Department."